Device for winding elongate flexible objects

ABSTRACT

A device for winding elongate flexible objects is disclosed herein. The device includes a rigid member extending along a central axis between first and second ends. The device also includes a first fork having a base mounted to the rigid member at the first end of the rigid member and a plurality of tines supported on the base. The device also includes a second fork member having a base mounted to the rigid member at the second end of the rigid member and a plurality of tines supported on the base. The first fork and the second fork are further defined as both being removably engaged with the rigid member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for winding elongate flexible objectssuch as electrical power cords.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,240 discloses a DEVICE FOR WINDING AND STORAGE OFCORDS. The storage device for electrical extension cords includes asubstantially elongated hollow tubular member having hollow end caps ateither end from which extend winding arms. The winding arms are adaptedto have an electrical extension cord or the like wrapped around them toform a coil of wire along the elongated body member between the arms. Atone end of the first end member there is a rotatable hook for mountingthe entire assembly including an extension cord. Along the body of theelongated member are two clamps for holding the plugs at either end ofthe extension cord in place. The plug clamps are movable longitudinallyalong the body of the elongated member to allow for adjustment fordifferent lengths of extension cord. A tubular extension member ispartially mounted internally of the elongated member such that it maymove in or out of the body of the elongated member to form an adjustablesupport for positioning against the ground during winding. When not inuse, the extension member may be substantially entirely positionedwithin the elongated member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summary, the invention is a device for winding elongate flexibleobjects. The device includes a rigid member extending along a centralaxis between first and second ends. The device also includes a firstfork having a base mounted to the rigid member at the first end of therigid member and a plurality of tines supported on the base. The devicealso includes a second fork member having a base mounted to the rigidmember at the second end of the rigid member and a plurality of tinessupported on the base. The first fork and the second fork are furtherdefined as both being removably engaged with the rigid member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description set forth below references the followingdrawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the broaderinvention;

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of a connecting arrangement that can beapplied in one or more embodiments of the broader invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a fork that can be associated with anexemplary embodiment of the broader invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the fork shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A plurality of different embodiments of the invention is shown in theFigures of the application. Similar features are shown in the variousembodiments of the invention. Similar features have been numbered with acommon reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabeticsuffix. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particulardrawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature isshown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structuredsimilarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unlessotherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore,particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding featuresin another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unlessotherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.

The invention, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments describedbelow, can provide a construction-grade hand winding/storage device,with adjustable/selectable winding region lengths and interchangeablewinding fork accessories. Embodiments can simplify and ease winding,carrying, storing, and removing electrical power cords, hoses, ropes,and other elongated objects.

In the exemplary embodiment, a rigid member can be a construction graderod that can withstand impact, twisting, and pulling forces. Theexemplary embodiment can accommodate different lengths of wound objects,resulting in more desirable elongated shapes suited to the respectivelengths of the wound object(s). Embodiments can reduce the total numberof wound lengths, twisting, compression, and material fatigue in thewound object.

A fork according to one or more embodiments can be strong and impactresistant. The fork can easily connect to the rigid member. The fork cancradle the wound object and eliminate tangles. The interconnectionbetween the fork and rigid member can be universal, replaceable, and/orinterchangeable. One of the tines of the fork can be rotatable toeliminate the burden of unwinding the object.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary device 10 for winding elongate flexibleobjects. The flexible object can be an electrical power cord, a hose, orany other kind of flexible, windable, elongated object. The device 10includes a rigid member 12 extending along a central axis 14 betweenfirst and second ends 16, 18.

The rigid member 12 can be a one-piece integrally-formed shaft, hollowor solid. “Integrally-formed” refers to the fact that in the exemplaryembodiment the rigid member can be formed at one time rather than beingformed as separate components that are subsequently joined together. Theterm defines a structural feature since structures that areintegrally-formed are structurally different than structures that arecomprised of subcomponents formed separately and then subsequentlyjoined. “Integral” means consisting or composed of parts that togetherconstitute a whole and thus encompasses structures of more than one partwherein the parts are either integrally-formed or formed separately andthen subsequently joined.

The device 10 also includes a first fork 20 having a base 22 mounted tothe rigid member 12 at the first end 16 of the rigid member 12. Theexemplary rigid member 12 can directly and releasibly engage the firstfork 20, such as through male threads 38 defined by the rigid member 12and female threads (not visible) defined by the base 22.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which rigid member can bedirectly and releasibly engaged with a fork through burrs. A connectingstructure 40 a can be defined a rigid member 12 a. The connectingstructure 40 a is shown in dash line since it is disposed within anaperture 80 a formed in a base 22 a of a fork. The connecting structure40 a can be generally square in cross-section and define burrs oncorners, such as burr 42 a. The base 22 a can also have a squarecross-section. A square cross-section can be desirable to preventrelative rotation between the fork and the rigid member. The burrs, suchas burr 42 a, can dig into the plastic body of the base 22 a duringinsertion of the connecting structure 40 a in the base 22 a. Theinteraction between the burrs and the base 22 a can resist movementbetween the base 22 a and the rigid member 12 a attached to the plasticconnecting structure 40 a.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the first fork 20 can have a plurality oftines 24, 26, 28, 30 supported on the base 22. The exemplary tines 24,26, 28, 30 can tine lengths, depths, and tine gaps. A length of tine 30is referenced at 32. A depth of tines 28 and 30 is referenced at 34. Agap between tines 24 and 26 is referenced at 36.

The exemplary tines 26, 28 of the first fork 20 are mounted directly tothe base 22 of the first fork 20. The exemplary tines 24 and 30 of thefirst fork 20 are mounted indirectly to the base 22 of the first fork20. The tine 24 is connected to the base 22 through the tine 26.Further, the tine 24 is connected to the tine 26 through a pivot pin 50.The tine 24 can pivot about the pin 50 along an arc referenced at 52.The pivot axis defined by the pin 50 extends transverse to and spacedfrom the central axis 14. Pivoting of the tine 24 allows an elongateobject held in between the tines 24 and 26 to be removed from the device10 without being unwound. In other words, pivoting of a tine allows forquick-release of the elongate object.

The tines 24 and 26, or the tines 28 and 30, can be viewed as a singletine. Embodiments of the invention can be practiced with numerousconfigurations of tines. The single tine formed by the combination ofthe tines 28 and 30 extends along a torturous path. A “torturous” pathincludes a plurality of direction changes. The single tine formed by thecombination of the tines 24 and 26 also extends along a torturous path.

The device 10 also includes a second fork member having a basereleasibly mounted to the rigid member 12 at the second end 18 of therigid member 12 and a plurality of tines supported on the base. FIG. 1shows several different configurations of forks, fork 20 being a firstconfiguration. It can be desirable that the same configuration of forkbe used at both ends 16, 18 of the rigid member 12 in the exemplaryembodiment. However, identical (or substantially identical) forks arenot required of the broader invention.

In an embodiment having the same configuration of forks at both ends,the first and second forks can be centered on the central axis 14 andeach can be symmetric about the central axis 14. The fork 20 issubstantially symmetric, since the presence of the pin 50 upsets perfectsymmetry. The fork 20 could be made perfectly symmetrical by adding apivot pin between the tines 28 and 30 or by omitting the pivot pin 50between the tines 24 and 26.

FIG. 1 shows two configurations of alternative forks. A fork 54 includesa base 56 and two tines 58, 60. The tine 60 is mounted for pivotingmovement relative to the base 56 about a pivot axis 62 extendingtransverse to and intersecting the central axis 14. A fork 64 includes abase 66 and two tines 68, 70. A protuberance 72 projects laterally fromthe base 22 transverse to and away from the central axis 14, in a firstdirection referenced at 74. The protuberance 72 extends further from thecentral axis 14 in the first direction 74 than either tine 68, 70 of thefirst fork 20. The protuberance 72 can be useful for hanging the device10 when stored (either with a wound object or without a wound object).The exemplary protuberance 72 has a wider portion and a neck portion forbeing received in a bracket with a variable width slot, but could takeother forms in other embodiments of the invention, such as a hook.

An embodiment of the invention could be practiced as a kit including aone or more rigid members and pairs of mating forks. For example, onekit could include rigid member 12, two forks 20, two forks 54, and twoforks 64. Another kit could include rigid members of different lengths.A kit would be desirable to allow the user numerous options in arrangingand storing elongate, flexible objects.

Another feature of the exemplary embodiment is a sleeve 76 encirclingthe rigid member 12 along the central axis 14 between the first end 16and the second end 18. The sleeve 76 can be made of foam, open cell orclosed cell. The sleeve can be made of rubber, silicone, or some otherflexible or rigid plastic. The sleeve 76 can define ribs or othersurface patterns to enhance gripping by the user's hand.

Another feature of the exemplary embodiment is a clamp 78 mounted on oneof the plurality tines. The exemplary clamp 78 is mounted on the tine26. The position of the clamp 78 along the tine 26 is adjustable. Theclamp 78 can be used to retain an end of a flexible elongate object,such as an outlet of an electrical power cord. The exemplary clamp 78can be formed in part as a pipe clamp that encircles the tine 26 can beselectively tightened or loosened. The exemplary clamp 78 can also beformed in part as a hook or as spring-biased pinching arms that canselectively grasp and release a portion of the elongate object.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternative embodiment of the invention. A fork 82b includes tines 84 b, 86 b. The tine 84 b is mounted for pivotingmovement about a pivot axis 88 b that would extend transverse to acentral axis. The tine 84 b is larger than the tine 86 b to make thetine 84 b easier to grasp and rotate. Another feature of the exemplaryembodiment is a pair of protuberances 72 b, 90 b integrally-formed withthe tine 86 b. The protuberances 72 b, 90 b can be used to retain an endof a flexible elongate object, such as an outlet of an electrical powercord.

It is noted that the various forks shown in this application can beuniversal with respect to a rigid member. In other words, the componentscan be formed such that the forks 20, 54, 64, or 82 b could be engagedwith a particular rigid member. Threads can be the structure forreleasibly interconnecting the structures or burrs could be applied. Itis noted that burrs could be used two or three or more times before afork is replaced.

The tines of a fork used in a particular embodiment of the broaderinvention can be or various lengths. For some elongate members, such ashalf-inch hose, the tines may be longer than the tines of a fork usedfor electrical power cords.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims. Further, the “invention” as that term is used in this documentis what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claimelements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as otherinventions in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for winding elongate flexible objectsand comprising: a rigid member extending along a central axis betweenfirst and second ends; a first fork having a base mounted to said rigidmember at said first end of said rigid member and a plurality of tinessupported on said base; a second fork member having a base mounted tosaid rigid member at said second end of said rigid member and aplurality of tines supported on said base; and wherein said first forkand said second fork are further defined as both being removably engagedwith said rigid member.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigidmember is further defined as a one-piece integrally-formed shaft anddirectly engages at least one of said first and second forks.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 further comprising: a sleeve encircling said rigidmember along said central axis between said first end and said secondend.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first forkand said second fork is further defined as being releasibly mounted tosaid rigid member.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said at least one ofsaid first fork and said second fork is further defined as beingreleasibly mounted to said rigid member with first threads defined bysaid at least one of said first fork and said second fork and secondthreads defined by said rigid member.
 6. The device of claim 4 whereinsaid at least one of said first fork and said second fork is furtherdefined as being releasibly mounted to said rigid member with burrs. 7.The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first fork and saidsecond fork is further defined as being square in cross-section,preventing relative rotation between said at least one of said firstfork and said second fork and said rigid member.
 8. The device of claim1 wherein all of said tines of said first fork are mounted directly tosaid base of said first fork.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein at leastone of said tines of said first fork is mounted indirectly to said baseof said first fork, through another of said tines of said first fork.10. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said tines of saidfirst fork extends along a torturous path.
 11. The device of claim 10wherein all of said tines of said first fork extend along respectivetorturous paths.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality oftines of said first fork comprises multiples tines on opposite sides ofsaid central axis.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality oftines of said first fork comprises at least one tine mounted forpivoting movement about a pivot axis extending transverse to andintersecting said central axis.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein saidplurality of tines of said first fork comprises at least one tinemounted for pivoting movement about a pivot axis extending transverse toand spaced from said central axis.
 15. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid first and second forks are substantially identical, centered onsaid central axis, and symmetric about said central axis.
 16. The deviceof claim 1 further comprising: at least one clamp mounted on one of saidplurality tines of said first fork.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein aposition of said at least one clamp along said one of said pluralitytines of said first fork is adjustable.
 18. The device of claim 1further comprising: a protuberance projecting from said first forktransverse to and away from said central axis in a first direction andextending further from said central axis in said first direction thanany of said plurality of tines of said first fork.
 19. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said plurality of tines of said first fork comprises atleast one tine mounted for pivoting movement about a pivot axisextending transverse to said central axis and said at least one tine islarger than the other of said plurality of tines.
 20. A kit comprising:a rigid member extending along a central axis between first and secondends; a first fork having a base mountable to said rigid member at oneof said first end and said second end of said rigid member and aplurality of tines supported on said base; a second fork member having abase mountable to said rigid member at one of said first end and saidsecond end of said rigid member and a plurality of tines supported onsaid base; a third fork member having a base mountable to said rigidmember one of said first end and said second end of said rigid memberand a plurality of tines supported on said base; a fourth fork memberhaving a base mountable to said rigid member one of said first end andsaid second end of said rigid member and a plurality of tines supportedon said base; and wherein said first fork and said second fork and saidthird fork and said fourth fork are further defined as all beingremovably engageable with said rigid member and wherein said at leasttwo of said first fork and said second fork and said third fork and saidfourth fork are further defined as being differently configured withrespect to another based on one of tine lengths, tine depths, or tinegaps.